VIDEO: Queen Elizabeth Class Brought to Life

BAE Systems, together with Thales UK, Babcock and the UK Ministry of Defence (the Aircraft Carrier Alliance) has ventured on a major endeavor with the construction of the biggest aircraft carrier ever to be built in Britain, HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is the first unit from the Queen Elizabeth Class of aircraft carriers.

This challenging project is lead by a vision brought to life in the following video:

The arrival of the iconic 700-tonne forward island of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, marked a significant milestone in the construction process of the naval giant. The iconic Forward Island, known as Upper Block 07 or the hub of the ship, as it contains the main bridge and approximately 100 vital mission systems compartments, arrived safely in Rosyth on February 11.

Later this year it will be joined by the aft island, home to Flyco – flying control – from where flight deck operations involving the ship’s air group of F35 Joint Strike Fighters, Merlin, Chinooks and other helicopters, will be directed.
Queen Elizabeth is due to be launched – more accurately ‘floated out’ of the gigantic dry dock – next year, ready to undertake sea trials in 2017, ready for fast jet trials with the F35 Joint Strike Fighter the following year.

HMS Prince of Wales will be the second of the Royal Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth class Aircraft carriers and is scheduled to enter service in 2018.

The ship will be assembled at Rosyth Royal Dockyard using blocks built by participating shipyards. Once in service the ship will be officially affiliated with the city of Liverpool, in the United Kingdom. Construction began in May 2011 with the first steel being cut by Dr Liam Fox on 26 May.

The Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy. At 65,000 tonnes each, with a maximum speed of 25 knots, they will represent a step change in capability, enabling the delivery of increased strategic effect and influence around the world.

The two flagships are 10,000 tonnes heavier than the last traditional-style carriers to serve the Royal Navy – HMS Ark Royal and Eagle, which paid off in the 1970s – and much larger than any current warship based in Portsmouth.

The Queen Elizabeth Class will be utilised by all three sectors of the Armed Forces and will provide significant operational bases, which can be deployed around the world. Both ships will be versatile enough to be used for operations ranging from supporting war efforts to providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Maritime Reconnaissance and Surveillance Technology 2017

After last year’s huge success the SMi Group is proud to announce the 2nd Maritime Reconnaissance and Surveillance Technology. The event will be held in Rome on the 30th and 31st of January 2017.

Based on the success of the 2016 conference, we aim to replicate and improve by providing a more regional focus, not just on the Mediterranean, but other areas of interest including the Black Sea and further beyond in the Asia Pacific region. All of which have keen collective interest on ensuring the safety and security of legitimate maritime activities.

This high level meeting will bring together senior military leadership, project decision makers, technical experts and cutting edge industry solution providers to explore future endeavours that will enhance the security and stability of the world’s oceans.

The 2017 programme will:

Provide a wider regional focus outside of the Mediterranean where challenges are also persistent

Feature high ranking military personnel involved with the enhancement of maritime surveillance platforms and systems

Present a running theme on the importance of information sharing as operations are increasingly conducted at an international level

Include Informal networking time to talk to peers and colleagues also shaping and influencing Maritime ISR programs today

Allow learning on how other nations are developing their maritime surveillance and reconnaissance provision from past experience and cutting edge research and development

Get to the heart of challenges faced by modern maritime forces such as capability gaps and what requirements they now have